Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[buckabucka]

ok, so I posted pictures of this chicken about a week ago and 7 people said roo.  Then a few days ago, someone posted pictures of a chicken looking almost just like mine and mentioned that they thought it was a roo, too until she laid eggs.  They said her pullet had big beefy legs (like mine does) and feathered in late (like mine did), and they mentioned that she had a big comb right away..(like mine does).  The other thing I noticed was that it has the same pattern as mine does.  Could they just be a certain cross that gives those results.  (roo like looks)   Do I have any hope here?  Lately my bird has been walking more horizonal than vertical.  And she is big breasted.  Is that a pullet thing or roo thing?  (I never had chickens before)  She is more rounded shaped than my other pullets.  Let me know.  I am still not seeing any pointy feathers in her saddle/hackle area.  She is 8 weeks old.


Olivia with a Brown Leghorn (which was sold to me as a Speckled Sussex -ha!  I know different now!) and an EE.

My blue pullet looks a lot like that, but she is just over 10 weeks now. I'm not sure if she has those wattles though (it's getting kind of dark to go look right now). For the sake of comparison, I did post a photo at 7 weeks (post #35512). "Her" comb was very tiny then. I'm convinced mine is a girl, but she is quite long-legged. I could try to post an updated photo sometime.

 

[Flowerbh]

This is my pet yard snake, Samantha. She is a 5 foot black rat snake and has lived in my back yard for the past two years. She does like to come out and watch my chickens, but I tell her they are not for her, and so far she hasn't made an attempt to get them. She usually comes out when I am doing yard work and will stay as long as I do. I think we have an understanding so to speak. She is actually on the opposite side of the house where the chickens live.

 

[DMRippy]

I usually leave the snakes alone. We have found several in our shop and have relocated them to the outside. They have a place in nature, like keeping the mice population down......

 

[Debbi]

Glad to report tonight, that Clyde has pulled through! This afternoon was the first time I've heard him crow since last Friday! He was also fence fighting with Pip who was standing by the gate. Never thought that would make me happy, but it did!! Just a note to all who may use Eprinex, only put one or two drops on the neck!! It dawned on me that all of the hens, and two other roos had the drops given under the wings or on the back. Clyde was the first one I did, and when a hen spooked off the roost, he flinched, and the whole lot I had in the eye dropper went onto the back of his neck. Granted, it was probably 7 drops, but that is TOO MUCH! Especially loaded in one place. While he did not act sick, he was indeed droopy, and like I said, didn't crow. Whether the B Complex helped or not, I don't know, but it did make him eat and drink more almost instantaneously. Just posting to share my joy, and to pass on what I almost had to learn the hard way. Hope this helps someone else avoid my mistake!!

 

[gilavina]

Glad to report tonight, that Clyde has pulled through! This afternoon was the first time I've heard him crow since last Friday! He was also fence fighting with Pip who was standing by the gate. Never thought that would make me happy, but it did!! Just a note to all who may use Eprinex, only put one or two drops on the neck!! It dawned on me that all of the hens, and two other roos had the drops given under the wings or on the back. Clyde was the first one I did, and when a hen spooked off the roost, he flinched, and the whole lot I had in the eye dropper went onto the back of his neck. Granted, it was probably 7 drops, but that is TOO MUCH! Especially loaded in one place. While he did not act sick, he was indeed droopy, and like I said, didn't crow. Whether the B Complex helped or not, I don't know, but it did make him eat and drink more almost instantaneously. Just posting to share my joy, and to pass on what I almost had to learn the hard way. Hope this helps someone else avoid my mistake!!

oh yay! I'm really glad he's alright!

 

[Debbi]

oh yay! I'm really glad he's alright!

Thanks, me too! I could tell he felt better when I picked him up tonight to put in his night pen, he was solid, and not nearly as limp as he was the days before. Ivomectin is good stuff, but can be wicked if misused also. It may take longer, but from now on, it's one drop at a time in the eyedropper, and in different areas!!!!

 

[3riverschick]

Hi Pigeonguy!

A lot worse things can happen than a 1st flock of Marans being from a hatchery, smile.
Enjoy them and learn from them. I hope you get a couple of real nice ones in there.
If so, you can always cross them with a feather-legged Marans, if you want.
Regardless of the darkness of the egg, Marans eggs are excellent eating! I know you will enjoy them!
A big plus, the males don't get spurs. Do post pics as they grow!
Welcome to the breed!

Karen in western PA

 

[Debbi]

Hi Pigeonguy!

A lot worse things can happen than a 1st flock of Marans being from a hatchery, smile.
Enjoy them and learn from them. I hope you get a couple of real nice ones in there.
If so, you can always cross them with a feather-legged Marans, if you want.
Regardless of the darkness of the egg, Marans eggs are excellent eating! I know you will enjoy them!
A big plus, the males don't get spurs. Do post pics as they grow!
Welcome to the breed!

Karen in western PA

WHAAAAATTTT???? I have three roos here with AT LEAST 3" spurs!! Where ever did you hear that?? While I can agree that you should enjoy your chickens for what they are, if you intend to breed them with the intention of selling as breeding stock to others, do yourself and the other folks down the line a huge favor, and CULL HEAVILY! Learn the SOP and breed towards that as a goal. There will never be a "perfect" chicken, and I don't care who you are, or how long you've bred. You may get really close, but the idea of perfection is a never ending goal for all. Don't do the breed or yourself a disservice by sellin poor quality Marans. It will come back to bite you in the arse!

 

[pigeonguy]

Hi Pigeonguy!

A lot worse things can happen than a 1st flock of Marans being from a hatchery, smile.
Enjoy them and learn from them. I hope you get a couple of real nice ones in there.
If so, you can always cross them with a feather-legged Marans, if you want.
Regardless of the darkness of the egg, Marans eggs are excellent eating! I know you will enjoy them!
A big plus, the males don't get spurs. Do post pics as they grow!
Welcome to the breed!

Karen in western PA

Thanx We'll see what they are when they get here. Who nows could be the place is legit and we don't know.

 

[3riverschick]

Speaking of predators.... I found a 5.5 ft long snake EATING my EE pullet. IN MY SHOP IN A PEN

You didn't say, did you rescue the pullet? What happened to the snake?
Best,
Karen